It’s not enough that you have to contend with persistent acne or regular breakouts on your face – acne knows no boundaries. The neck, chest, back (often endearingly called “bacne”), shoulders and buttocks are the most prevalent areas where acne can occur other than the face. Body acne can be just as annoying and embarrassing as facial acne because it prevents you from sporting tank tops or backless shirts, not to mention bathing suits in the summer. So if you suffer from body acne, don’t give up on skin-revealing clothing just yet. Find out how to get rid of body acne with these practical tips…

Acne is caused when extra sebum (the oily substance that moisturizes our skin) is produced by the sebaceous gland. The excess sebum then mixes with skin cells, which clog the pores and attract bacteria, producing the inflamed lesions known as acne. Men, women, teens and adults alike are all susceptible to body acne. Just like facial acne, back and chest acne are very common because there are so many sebaceous glands on these parts of the body. You may also develop acne on your shoulders, arms and even butt. Body acne can appear in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, pustules, and cysts or legions, which can not only be pesky, but also painful.

Aside from stress, hormones and menstrual breakouts – the usual acne suspects – perspiration and tight-fitting clothing (usually in combination) can cause acne on your body. Friction from your clothing can add more irritation to areas that are already broken out. This is why so many physically active men and women are plagued with body acne. When you perspire in tight clothing, the sweat gets trapped on your skin and mixes with your natural oils, producing a pore-clogging film. Other body acne culprits, like bacne, can be caused by irritation from backpack, purse or bra straps. Men who use steroids may also experience body acne as a side effect.

How to Get Rid of Body AcneBody acne is not always easy to treat, especially on the hard-to-reach back area, and is often more difficult to treat than facial acne because body skin is thicker. But with the right regimen, it can be successfully treated. Here are some effective tips on how to get rid of body acne:

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Wash the acne-prone areas daily using an anti-bacterial soap like Dial® or a washcloth with a salicylic acid-based cleanser.

Follow up with a 5% to 10% benzoyl peroxide cream (the thicker skin on your body can handle it better than your face) to dry out the pimples, and then use a moisturizer with alpha hydroxyl acid to exfoliate and combat any dryness. You can also use the benzoyl peroxide to spot-treat specific pimples.

For unsightly places where body acne hides, aka your booty, gently use a loofah and exfoliating scrub while you’re in the shower to get rid of dead skin cells. Do not scrub the area roughly, which will only increase irritation and inflammation.

It’s especially important to wash acne-prone areas immediately after heavy perspiration. Take a shower as soon as you can after you’re done exercising or sweating heavily on a hot day.

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Keep in mind that it can take up to six weeks to know whether or not your regimen is working, so don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results.

Try specific products for your body acne, such as Clinique’s Anti-Blemish Solutions Back and Chest Spray.

Don’t pick at pimples because doing so leads to further irritation and possible scarring.

If over-the-counter medications aren’t fighting your body acne, a dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics like minocycline or tetracycline or stronger topical treatments such as Retin A to treat the problem, just like they would for your face. Your dermatologist might prescribe Accutane as a last resort to treat persistent and severe body acne. Accutane has shown to be very effective for all kinds of acne.

Once you have your regimen down for fighting body acne, there are other measures you can take to lessen the frequency of any outbreaks. Always wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing when exercising. This type of fabric will allow your skin to breathe. Skin can also be irritated by fabric softeners and laundry detergents from your clothes, towels and pillow cases. Choose a brand with a “fragrance free” or “for sensitive skin” label, or forgo the fabric softener all together. Although links between diet and acne haven’t been scientifically proven, it never hurts to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet to nourish healthy skin from the inside out. As always, drink plenty of water for healthy, radiant skin.

“Bacne,” chest acne or any other acne you find on your body can be treated effectively now that you know how to get rid of body acne. Follow these tips and soon enough you’ll be wearing those tank tops and bathing suits with confidence.

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